Temptation (1946)

A woman (Merle Oberon) with a checkered past marries a naive archaeologist (George Brent). When she accompanies her husband to an archaeological dig in Egypt, she begins an affair with an impoverished opportunist (Charles Korvin). Deceit, blackmail and murder follow. Based on the novel BELLA DONNA by Robert Smythe Hichens (previously filmed in 1923 with Theda Bara) and directed by Irving Pichel (THEY WON'T BELIEVE ME). This little known noir-ish Victorian thriller was quite the surprise. I knew very little about it going in except that it was panned by the critics when it opened in 1946. I quite liked it. The film begins with Oberon's arrest and then in flashback, we're told of the events leading to her downfall. Oberon is very good as she goes from calculating femme fatale to adulteress until finally finding redemption in love. Charles Korvin who didn't impress me as a leading man in ENTER ARSENE LUPIN is in his element here as the womanizing gigolo. If you're a noir fan, check it out. With Paul Lukas, Lenore Ulric, Arnold Moss and Suzanne Cloutier.